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Griswold Tiger Girls Track season update with Coach Rachel Larson

Sports

May 8th, 2024 by admin

The Griswold Tigers girls track team has been having a great season. The Tigers finished 2nd place in the Corner Conference with 112 points and finished in 4th place in their recent meet at the Southwest Valley CO-ED, where they finished with 75 points.

The Griswold girls have been breaking some personal records this season according to coach Rachel Larson.

Coach Larson commented on how well the team did at the Corner Conference meet.

The Tigers broke more personal records at the Southwest Valley May CO-ED Meet as they are heading into their district meet.

The Griswold girls have been preparing for their state qualifying meet.

The Tigers next track meet will be Thursday May 9th in the Class 1A-State Qualifying Meet in Tabor. That meet will start at 4:00 p.m.

Atlantic School Board meeting notes(5/8/24)

News

May 8th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Community School District’s Board of Education met in a regular monthly session this (Wednesday) evening at the High School Media Center. Under the Action Items portion of their agenda, the Board approved the following:

  • Renewing a Memorandum of Understanding with Family Connections for another year.
  • A Green Hills AEA agreement for paid (managed) services.
  • A proposed, modified agreement with the Nishna Valley Family YMCA, re: The Early Childhood Center, Wickman Center, etc., spaces, through the end of  the 2024-25 School Year. The agreement must also approved by the YMCA’s Board of Directors.
  • An i-JAG agreement. The District has had an agreement with i-Jag for two-years.
  • The Board approved an Operational Sharing agreement for the 2024-25 School Year, with the Griswold CSD for a Transportation Director. ACSD Transportation Director Steve Anderson will split his services 80-20 between the Districts. Griswold has already approved the continued sharing agreement.
  • and Sharing Agreements for Boys and Girls Sports: Swimming and Soccer.

The Atlantic School Board also approved the resignations of:  Troy Roach – Speech & Debate Coach (effective 6/30/24, not June 1st, as the previous agenda had indicated), and Caleb Winters, Special Education Para (effective at the end of the current school year).

They also approved Contract Recommendations for the 2023-24 School Year: Makenna Askeland – MS Softball Coach (Summer 2024); Tina Franken – Summer Lunch Position (6/2024 & 7/2024); Terry Hinzmann – Summer Credit Recovery; and Kay Schmitt – Transportation & oversee Voc. Rehab.

And, they approved other Contract Recommendations, for the 2024-25 School Year, include: Jim Brauer – HS Sped Teacher; Amber Moore – 7th Grade Volleyball Coach, Fall 2024, along with Athletic Volunteer Coaches, including: Baseball – Josh McLaren & Darby McLaren, Softball – Bob Gross; and MS Softball Volunteer Coach – Paul Kite.

In her report to the Board, Superintendent Dr. Beth Johnsen spoke about the Home School Program and School Board Recognition month. She said Linda Nichols – CPI/Home School Coordinator – is retiring, so her position is being moved to Cara Andersen. She is currently serving one-quarter time until next year, when she will serve three-quarters time. The full-time (FTE) home school teacher positions will stay the same, according to Dr. Johnsen. She said the home school program continues to grow, with kids being added every year.

With May being School Board month, Dr. Johnsen thanked members of the Atlantic School Board for everything they do.

Board Member Gini Jordan was pleased to report negotiations between the District and its Certified/Non-Certified Staff appear to be going well.

Late last month, the Atlantic Education Association and the Atlantic School District presented proposals for contracts for the next two to three years during a special meeting. Association members proposed a 9% total package increase for the first year, and district officials proposed a 9.27% salary increase.

Lisa Jones, Director of Finance/Board Secretary, said the District’s financials “look really good.” The District is nearly finished with the current fiscal year, she said, with only this month and next remaining. That means they are finishing-up with the little things that need to be purchased yet this year and thinking about their needs for next year.

(Jones said with regard to nutrition, they are still encouraging those who owe money on their lunch accounts to get payments turned in before the end of the school year.) And, while many in the community have reached out and donated to help the lunch account…

(Jones said there’s still a need, “and so we’re asking those parents to find a way to finish that off or set-up a payment plan of some sort….so they’re not coming into next year with a negative balance, because that does roll over…and that’s not how we want the students to start their year.”)

The Board approved: a five-cent increase in Nutrition Meal Prices for 2024-25; Trash, Milk and Bread bids for 2024-25; and, Student Fees, rates and charges. The fees remain unchanged from last year. The JMC portal will have an application for free-and-reduced lunches, according to Finance Director Lisa Jones.

Snyder and Associates Engineer Austin Sonntag reported to the Board the Storage Building project at the High School, that began last year, is in the process of wrapping-up. The final pay application amounts to $3,739.80. The Board passed a Resolution accepting the work on the building.

The Board’s next meeting (A Special Session for to ratify the bargaining agreement with District Certified Staff) will take place May 15th. A Work Session was set for May 22nd.

Iowa State Trooper (former Red Oak & Glenwood Police officer) loses her battle with cancer

News

May 8th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – The Iowa State Patrol, Wednesday (Today), announced on social media, that one of their Troopers has lost her battle with cancer. The Patrol says “It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of Trooper Rose Ives’ (ISP #191) passing. Throughout her battle with cancer, she displayed immense strength and bravery until the very end. Trooper Ives was an essential part of District 3 (Council Bluffs) and the Iowa State Patrol, setting a shining example of what it means to be a State Trooper.”

According to the Iowa State Patrol, Rose Ives served with District 3 in southwest Iowa.  Before joining the ISP, Ives served the Red Oak and Glenwood communities as a police officer.

The Patrol says “Our heartfelt condolences go out to her family and friends as they navigate through this difficult time.” Arrangements for Trooper Ives are pending at this time.

Iowan sees dream of baseball book come true

News

May 8th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A central Iowa T-V sportscaster has realized a life-long dream with the publishing of a book that makes youth baseball a life or death proposition. Scott Reister says the book “Baseball Spy” features a kid named Zane who is trying to find a deadly spy on his team before things go wrong. “And if he doesn’t keep winning kuh-blammi everything goes down so literally in Baseball Spy the book it’s life or death Little League is life or death,” Reister says. Reister says the idea for the story came from his own baseball experience.

“Maybe I was 11 or 12 and I’m about to bat and in this pressure situation, I felt all these eyes on me and I thought, man, it’s not like it’s life or death, right?,” he says. “And then I started thinking, what if it was, what if I didn’t get this hit? Then there’s some bad guy out there about to blow everything up. And I always thought that’d be the coolest idea for a book or a movie, and I never really did anything about it. And I started thinking about if I ever wrote a book that was it, and I finally dedicated myself to figuring out how to write a book.” While the book’s plot includes spies and potential destruction, he says it’s a thriller that adults or kids would like.

“I would say if you’re about that fourth grade age anything younger than that be hard to kind of grasp the plot, but adults love it, kids love it, it’s a great gift especially if you have kids playing baseball, Reister says. He says the book has sold well already and says the plot keeps everyone interested. “There’s two major twists in the story that kind of propel the story forward, and then the end is so exciting, all heck breaks loose in the very end scene,” he says.

Reister had done a lot of writing as a sportscaster, but had to learn a whole new set of skills to write the book. It took him six years to get the book published and he has this advice for anyone who wants to give it a try. “As long as you’re willing to wait and not give up and seek as much advice as possible. And also take your time before you send it to literary agents, you know, you only get one shot at it to write that pitch letter to these agents,” Reister says. “So unless you know you’ve spent all that time on the book, and it’s as good as it can possibly be, don’t rush it. Take your time, get it completely ready, and then start to begin that process.”

Reister’s patience paid off and he now has a deal for two more books, with the ending of “Baseball Spy” setting up the second book, “Football Spy.” He has been busy doing signings are little leagues in central Iowa. You can find the book on Amazon and other book sellers.

Here are some of the upcoming book signings:
Saturday 5/11 3:00-5:00 Barnes and Noble (Jordan Creek)
Tuesday 5/21 6:30-8:00 Beaverdale Books
Saturday 6/8 11:30-1:30 Barnes and Noble (University Clive)
Saturday 6/29 10-12 Urbandale Public Library

Ernst says Biden must explain delay in shipping arms to Israel

News

May 8th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Senator Joni Ernst is blasting the Biden Administration for putting a hold on the shipment of 3500 bombs to Israel.

“This is absolutely unacceptable,” Ernst said. “Withholding any support from Israel is literally appeasing Iran-backed Hamas terrorists while they are still holding our Americans hostage and so I am demanding answers for why the administration is turning its back on Israel and preventing it from defending itself.”

Ernst and a fellow Republican senator returned to the U.S. Tuesday after meeting with allies in the Middle East, including Israeli government officials. “We have yet to hear from the (Biden) Administration on the true reasons why they have stopped these weapons shipments,” Ernst said.

During testimony at a U.S. Senate hearing today, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed the U.S. had put a hold on a shipment of weapons and that U.S. assistance to Israel could change if there’s a major Israeli operation in Rafah, a major city in southern Gaza. Ernst said the delay in providing military assistance to Israel runs counter to President Biden’s own declarations.

Sen. Ted Budd (R-NC), Israeli PM Netanyahu, Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) (photo provided by offices of Budd & Ernst)

“He had stated a while back that his support of Israel was iron clad, so he’s either misleading the people of Israel or he’s just certainly lying to Americans,” Ernst said. “…Hamas is the enemy, not Israel.”

A month ago, congress approved a package that included $26 billion in aid to Israel. Ernst indicated it’s not clear if this delayed shipment is part of that. Ernst said if these are weapons Israel has paid for, “which is often the case,” then they need to be delivered.

“There have been a number of responses again through the media because he has not been forthcoming with any information stating, ‘Oh, it’s a paperwork issue,’ but we’ve also heard, ‘Oh, the president has concerns about the operations in Rafah,’ which is why he stopped those weapons and munitions,” Ernst said, “so we’re seeking clarity, we’re seeking transparency.”

During her Middle East trip, Ernst met with Kurdish allies in Iraq. She also visited American soldiers at U-S installations in Syria and the United Arab Emirates. Israel was the final stop and Ernst met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, other Israeli government leaders and the families of Hamas hostages.

“We still have eight Americans that are held hostage, three of whom we know are deceased,” Ernst said. “We really want to see the return of our five American hostages.”

Ernst said too many Americans have forgotten what happened in Israel on October 7, 2023.

Gov. Reynolds Issues Disaster Proclamation for Four Counties Impacted by Recent Severe Weather

News

May 8th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES – Today, Gov. Kim Reynolds issued a disaster proclamation for four counties in response to severe weather that occurred on May 6. The governor’s proclamation activates the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program and Disaster Case Advocacy Program for the following counties: Clarke, Marion, O’Brien, and Pottawattamie. 

The Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program provides grants of up to $5,000 for households with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Grants are available for home or car repairs, replacement of clothing or food, and temporary housing expenses. Original receipts are required for those seeking reimbursement for actual expenses related to storm recovery. The grant application and instructions are available on the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management website at homelandsecurity.iowa.gov/assistance. Potential applicants have 45 days from the date of the proclamation to submit a claim.   

The Disaster Case Advocacy Program addresses serious needs related to disaster-related hardship, injury, or adverse conditions. Disaster case advocates work with clients to create a disaster recovery plan and provide guidance, advice, and referrals to obtain a service or resource. There are no income eligibility requirements for this program; it closes 180 days from the date of the governor’s proclamation. For information on the Disaster Case Advocacy Program, contact your local community action agency or visit iowacommunityaction.org.    

Skeletal remains found in Pott. County

News

May 8th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – The Council Bluffs Police Department reports that at around 10:10-a.m. today (May 8, 2024), Pottawattamie County Communications received a phone call from a subject who had found skeletal remains. The caller had found the remains while walking in the area north of Veterans Memorial Hwy and E. Manawa Dr. Officers responded and found a skeletal torso that is believed to be human in nature.

The remains appeared to have been exposed to the elements for some time due to the state they were found in. At this time, there is no means to identify the remains. The cause of death is unknown, and the gender of the remains is not confirmed at this time. This is an ongoing investigation. The remains will be sent to the State of Iowa Medical Examiner’s Office for further examination.

Authorities say it may take several weeks to learn an identity associated with the found remains.

Higher tax deduction for Iowa’s tax-free 529 accounts

News

May 8th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Governor Reynolds has signed a bill into law that raises the maximum tax deduction for contributing to a “College Savings Iowa” account to 52-hundred dollars. That’s 22 percent higher than what was allowed this year. State Treasurer Roby Smith says the higher tax deduction also applies to contributions to I-ABLE accounts which cover expenses related to a disability.

“Today is the biggest day in 26 years for Iowa’s 529 plans,” Smith says. “…This exciting update is a great way to save for others while giving yourself a tax benefit as well.” So-called 529 plans allow for tax-free withdrawals. “529 plan funds can be used on K-12 tuition, apprenticeships and trade schools and other qualified expenses,” Smith says. Among the 43 states that collect income taxes, there are only nine other states that have a higher tax deduction than Iowa’s new 52-hundred dollar amount for tax year 2025.

“It is an exciting time for the state’s 529 plans,” Smith said. “Serving Iowans with their savings goals, our programs continue to grow and lower their asset based fees for the account owners.” Smith, in his second year as state treasurer, proposed the higher tax benefit for deposits in 529 plans. “In addition to the new tax deduction amount, Iowa’s 529 account owners will have the ability to transfer up to a lifetime limit of $35,000 to a Roth IRA in their beneficiary’s name,” Smith says. That change took effect at the federal level this year, as the owners of some 529 accounts worry about having unused funds left in the accounts. This spring Iowa legislators have aligned the state’s tax code with that policy.

According to the state treasurer’s office, there’s six BILLION dollars in over 285-thousand College Savings Iowa accounts today. There nearly 67-thousand tax-free 529 accounts for people with disabilities under Iowa’s Achieving a Better Life Experience or I-ABLE program.

Iowa linebacker Jay Higgins on his final season

Sports

May 8th, 2024 by admin

Iowa linebacker Jay Higgins is looking for a big final season after deciding not to enter the NFL Draft. The native of Indianapolis led the country with 171 tackles last season but was not named the winner of the Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker.

Higgins wants to be even more of a leader next season and help bring along some of the younger linebackers.

One of the younger linebackers who shined during spring drills was junior Karson Sharar (shire). The Iowa Falls native appeared in all 14 games last season.

The Hawkeyes open next season at home on August 31st against Illinois State.

UNI softball opens MVC Tournament Thursday afternoon

Sports

May 8th, 2024 by admin

The Northern Iowa softball team opens the Missouri Valley Tournament Thursday afternoon. The Panthers are the two seed and take on the winner of this afternoon’s game between Drake and Evansville. UNI coach Ryan Jacobs says there is no room for error in the single elimination format.

It takes three wins in three days to win the title.

UNI is 31-16.